Thursday, 31 December 2015

2015 REFLECTIONS AND 2016 GOALS

It's happening. Page 365 of 365. Currently in bed watching A Series of Unfortunate Events and drinking Lemsip. Yes, this girl is ill on New Years Eve - go me. I'll probably spend the rest of the night drinking tea and reading blogs. Wild as ever.

I thought it'd be nice to reflect on some life lessons of this year and set a few goals for 2016. I love reading these kind of posts so hopefully you'll enjoy mine.

2015

PERSONAL

I like focusing on the highs rather than the lows.

You could say that for the most part I always try to be positive and see the silver lining in everything. I'm not going to lie though this year has been challenging because I started stepping outside the kid bubble and 'adulting' a little more.

I guess it was time since I'm 22 now. Damn. Twenty two, where did the time go?!

I also started to really focus on myself - and that sometimes meant cutting people out of my life when I thought they weren't quite good for me. I just realised that there's no time to waste on individuals that aren't there for you when you need them. Unfortunately not everything or everyone is as it seems and that's okay, I can always find a way to make things better and move on. I wasted so much time on people who didn't appreciate it that now I prefer to save it for who's worth it.

It's been good to have some personal growth and realise that you need yourself more than anything or anyone else. You can be your biggest fan or your biggest enemy. With that in mind I started attending more events, going out of my comfort zone and enjoying the littlest things in life.

Style-wise I also found what I really like. I've been experimenting with fashion for so many years but now I know exactly what works for me, what doesn't and what makes me feel comfortable and confident. Sorry nan, black clothes aren't going anywhere any time soon!

LIFE

My boyfriend moved in with me and we're currently saving up to move out next year.

I know for some this may not be anything ground breaking, but if you experienced it before you probably know that when you end up living with your partner it's really stepping up your relationship to a whole new level. I mean, I have to share my closet with him. I also had to share my beauty space with him. MY BEAUTY SPACE, PEOPLE. If that's not love then I don't know what is.

We welcomed a new family member, my pug Sid. He's the most adorable and loving pet I could have asked for. He literally makes me laugh out loud every day. I snapchat him loads so if you want to see some action add me - whatkrisdid.

I finally found a part time job that I don't hate with every single bone of my body!

Yes, it's in retail (I'm still a student, the choice wasn't really that broad) but the team is amazing. It's nice to be excited to go to work because of the fun colleagues you know you'll see again and suddenly facing rude customers isn't as bad as it used to be.

With that in mind, whilst I may have cut some not-so-great friendships, the good ones I had became even stronger. I also welcomed some new people in my life that I'm excited to make many memories with and get to know even more.

I started attending industry events and going to more museums and art galleries. I learnt so much from the history of art, different artists and painters in general that I feel more knowledgable in fashion and beauty too on many more levels than I was before. Also, attending London Fashion Week and Weekend has been very inspiring.

BLOGGING

I am really happy with how my blog has progressed this year. I improved the photography, the content and the design. (or at least I'd like to think so)

I attended more events and met some gorgeous bloggers I'm lucky enough to call friends and it's also been great to work with so many amazing brands, especially YSL, which is still unrealistic and crazy to think that actually happened.

Of course I couldn't forget being shortlisted in the Cosmo Blog Awards again for Best in Beauty! Thanks again to anyone who voted for me, you lot are so kind and supportive!

2016

New year, new me?

Nah. I'm sure I'll be the same person for the most part but there's definitely certain things I'd like to improve on and achieve, don't we all?

I don't personally like writing these kind of lists because I feel much more pressure to do them but what's wrong with that after all, right? I'll give it my best damn shot.

LIFE/ PERSONAL

GRADUATE!

Fingers crossed it all goes well so that in July my journey in full time education comes to an end.

Travel more

Canada or Greece would be great in the summer

Be more organised

I just bought a planner a few days ago. I need to get better at organising my own time. Blogging, working and studying is a challenge.

Read more

Aside from the boring academic books I have to read all the time, I really miss losing myself into a story or even getting inspired with some light reads like "Girl Boss". (I still haven't read it!)

Work Out

I swear we all want to do this but then we all fail at it.

I don't want to become a gym bunny by any means, but working out a few times a week to tone up and be more fit would be ideal.

Learn to cook

I am so bad at cooking. The only thing I can decently make is fish but I'd like to expand more and try new healthy dishes.

Be more self confident

I feel like I still lack that spark after years of bullying so I really want to just accept myself fully and play on my strengths rather than focus on the weaknesses.

Do more internships and gain work experience

I'm doing a fashion journalism and PR degree so when that's done I definitely need to add more stuff to my CV before I go job-hunting. It'd be nice to find something by January next year and move to London. Fingers crossed!

BLOGGING

- Redesign my site

I'm currently working on a new logo and just a new vibe. I hope you guys will like it.

- Keep Improving my Photography

I finally started getting to a point where I'm quite happy with my photos but I still want to get even better and experiment.

- Get more personal

I feel like you lot don't know that much about me. I mainly review products and talk about makeup so it'd be nice to get a little more "deep" next year.

- More lifestyle and Fashion posts

This goes hand in hand with my previous point and the self confidence issue. It'd be nice to just open up a little more and show my face on here.

- Improve my social media skills and promote more

I just started using twitter more for blog promotion. I don't like spamming people with links to a new post but I also know that it's important to get the word out. It'd be great to show presence on all my social media channels every day. This year I would disappear for a whole week sometimes which we know is not great.

- Get back on YouTube

I'm still on the fence with this one but I really enjoyed making videos two years ago so maybe after I graduate I'll re-open my channel. There's still over 800 subscribers on there so I would't want that platform to just die out.

So that's it from me for this year!

Thank you all for the support and Happy New Year! Let me know what content you'd like me to expand on and what posts you'd like to see more of.

55 comments

Love reading this! Great post and goals for 2016, I love how strong your brand identity is across all your channels so keep it up :) I also made it my resolution to finally start video blogging, which is why I got my olympus Pen. I'm really enjoying it :) Looking forward to seeing where 2016 takes you! Good luck lovely xx

Happy new year doll! I have loved reading your blog in 2015 it has been beautiful! I love living with my bf but I agree it is a HUGE thing! I am rubbish at making goals but exercise is a biggy for me xxx

Great post and your blog is lovely. 2015 was quite an amazing year for you, I hope that 2016 will be even better. I'd like to accomplish some of what you have thus far in terms of blogging. Happy New Year!

ah, i was ill on new year's eve as well, hope you've recovered! and it sounds like you've had some good moments in 2015 and i hope 2016 will be better and that you'll achieve your goals! happy new year! :-) xx

Awww, I hope you've recovered from the illness! Maybe it was the excitement from the holidays getting to you hahaha. I love your blogging goals! I'm currently trying to improve my blog as well! And try my hand at YouTube. Haha, we'll see I guess <3

Love this post ! I would love to write one like this but I only launched my blog a few weeks ago haha, maybe I'll film something like this for my YouTube channel.

Anywho I'm also 22 and I love that you didn't state the whole new year new me thing, I feel like the new year is a fresh start for everyone but we should also only be improving the person we were and not try to be someone completely different.

great list of goals for yourself. And loved your honest reflections... I too have learned this year that sometimes its best to "say goodbye" to certain people in your life who just are not good for you. Sometimes friendships can be toxic and while it may be sad, its best to just let go and move on!